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The use of Executive Suppo Systems (ESS) in organizations is increasing. International Data Corp. predicts that the Executive linformation System market (a key component of an ESS) is expected to climb from $339 million in 1994 to as much as $1 billion by 1997. This article addresses what Executive Support Systems are and why they are more prevalent in organizations today. It also discusses the nature of executive work, and examines the impacts of an Executive Support System on the decision making role of executive. It is necessary to understand the nature of executive wore so that companies can determine the best way to design and implement an Executive Support System which is useful and effective for the executives which it is intended to support
Definitions of an Executive Support System are as varied as the organizations that are researching, selling or implementing them. Rockart and DeLong, two MIT researchers actively involved in this area, define an ESS as "the routine use of a computerbased system, most often through direct access to a terminal or personal computer, for any business function. The users are either the CEO or a member of the senior management team reporting directly to him or her."
"Executive Support System" is a broad term which encompasses two related information technologies: Executive Information Systems (EIS) - also known as Everybody's or Enterprise Information Systems, and Office Information Systems (OIS).
An EIS is an information system which draws from multiple applications and multiple data sources, both internal and external to an organization, to provide executives and other decision makers with the necessary information to monitor and analyze the performance of the organization.
One of the best descriptions of an EIS is found in Executive Information Systems: Definitions and Guidelines, in which Allan Paller describes EIS in terms of a modern airplane cockpit:
A modern airplane cockpit is an effective model for an EIS. Key indicators are monitored constantly. When an indicator, such as elevation, moves outside an acceptable range, a warning sounds. The pilot can take immediate action to correct the problem. Hundreds of indicators are monitored, yet most of them become visible to the pilot only when a problem is apparent. A smaller number, such as speed, altitude, elevation, and...